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Vitex Systems has developed a patented system, Barix™, which uses thin polymer
layers that are deposited alternatively with thin barrier layers. The multilayer barrier
structure is applied with two distinct methods. See the figure below. The Barix™
OLED displays in-situ after the device deposition since even the shortest exposure
of most unprotected OLED displays to the atmosphere is not acceptable. Direct
encapsulation provides the thinnest and lowest weight flexible, transparent barrier.
layers that are deposited alternatively with thin barrier layers. The multilayer barrier
structure is applied with two distinct methods. See the figure below. The Barix™
OLED displays in-situ after the device deposition since even the shortest exposure
of most unprotected OLED displays to the atmosphere is not acceptable. Direct
encapsulation provides the thinnest and lowest weight flexible, transparent barrier.
| Barix™ multilayer deposition configurations a) Deposition on flexible web (e.g., polymer) b) Direct encapsulation |
a)
The other method for applying the multilayer barrier coating is through its
incorporation onto a carrier or base film, such as PET or PEN. The resulting flexible
barrier material can be used as a carrier or substrate for subsequent device
fabrication and by lamination onto the surface of the device for encapsulation.
Thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells that have been encapsulated by the lamination
process with a 2-dyad barrier coating on PEN have been independently shown to
exceed by two times the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61646
damp heat test that requires less than a 10% reduction in power conversion
efficiency after exposure for 1000 hours at 85°C and 85% relative humidity. The
use of lamination encapsulation with the multilayer barrier coating allows for
significant cost reduction through the use of high-volume roll-to-roll manufacture of
the barrier coating on base film.
The world’s thinnest (50 microns) active matrix OLED display using direct
encapsulation with multilayer barrier coating was shown by Samsung SMD at the
2008 Society for Information Display Conference. See the figure below. It is also
suitable for other thin-film devices such as thin-film lithium batteries and OLED
lighting.
b)
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| How is Barix™ made? |
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Before describing how the Barix™ barrier structure is
made, it is important to mention that Barix™ refers to the fundamental barrier
structure of the organic and inorganic multilayer coating. The patented Barix™
barrier can consist of any suitable materials and deposition processes that result
in a multilayer structure composes of organic and inorganic layers.
made, it is important to mention that Barix™ refers to the fundamental barrier
structure of the organic and inorganic multilayer coating. The patented Barix™
barrier can consist of any suitable materials and deposition processes that result
in a multilayer structure composes of organic and inorganic layers.